Guatemala > Guatemala Experience

Advantages: The people and rich culture
Disadvantages: You need at least 1-2 weeks for the experience and clubs are only open till 1am

...the the mighty they call Antigua of Guatemala, after living there for nearly 4 months I relised why it is considered to be one of the jewels of Central America. So lets be honest I could write volumes for this but I will try to avoid covering standard issues which you will find in travel guides. On first glance Antigua can seem like a beautiful but sleepy location as this is the impression I got on my initial visit passing through for just 1 day, ...
...a good indication of what Antigua has to offer the traveller/tourist/culture vultures! But on my more extended visit a few weeks later I saw that with a little time, research and 'getting to know the locals' mission, it can be an amazing stop for people of all ages weather you are there for 4 days or 4 months. Bascially you need to get stuck in to see the truley stunning and charming qualities Antigua can expose. So the 'trend' if you like is the ... Read review

Advantages: Colourful, vibrant markets; a chance to immerse yourself in local culture
Disadvantages: May get hassled to see a pagan sacrifice of a chicken

Chichicastenango is about an hour from Panajachel, high up in the western Guatemalan mountains. It is a fairly small town, still stuck in its old ways, with a few hostels and cheap hotels for the budget traveller. Even if you are not an avid buyer of local goods, the expansive market scattered throughout the cobblestone streets is fantastic for people watching and taking in of the 'real' Guatemala. Souvenirs (especially masks, beads, and patchwork ...
...Antigua. There is also the oppurtunity to kit yourself out in bright indigenous clothing. However, as I learnt to my cost, if you see 1 item you particularly love in one town, buy it, as you might not necessarily see a similar one again! A definite must is a stop off at Iglesia de Santo Tomas (photos not allowed inside - also be aware that you should ask people if you want to take a photo of them). Candles and beautiful flowers are on sale outside, ... Read review

Advantages: Pretty markets; a chance to explore Guatemalan villages
Disadvantages: Hassling by street kids into buying biros!

Panajachel has a market much like those of Antigua and Chichicastenango, but with a wide variety of excellent local art to buy (I bought 2 small paintings of the lake for next to nothing, and they are a perfect reminder of my travels - see photos). An oppurtunity not to be missed is to take a boat trip out onto the lake and visit the surrounding villages. Santiago has more markets, and a lot of boys will try to pursuade you to buy just about anything. ...
...some beautiful weaving: to buy is fairly expensive, but the quality is fantastic. There are a couple of places to grab some rice and beans here, and there is 1 hotel in Santiago, but most people tend to stay in Panajachel, which is larger and has more to offer. San Antonio I felt was more like the 'real' Guatemala, where there is a artisan ceramic studio, and many of the locals were in traditional dress (the women throughout Guatemala tend to dress ... Read review

Advantages: Spectacular ruins in a green setting
Disadvantages: Becoming more popular and wildlife is suffering

I have visited Tikal twice now - once about 8 years ago and again two years ago. I say this, because I noticed the difference in the amount of birdlife between the two visits. Perhaps I was unlucky, but there seemed to be far fewer birds on this trip. Having said this, I still rate Tikal as one of my favourite ancient sites in the world. Tikal really ought to be better known. Ok, it takes a special trip to get there - a flight from Guatemala city ...
...and little money, I can't imagine that the overnight bus trip is a good plan), but it is worth it. Yes, the hotels aren't cheap, but this is a pretty special place, and it is good to be able to get into the site nice and early. Picture the setting - water droplets gently drip off the large green leaves of the jungle as the early morning mist clears. Ahead, in a clearing, a large, white pyramid looms. Monkeys can be heard climbing in the trees and ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing place, excellent wildlife
Disadvantages: Busses could be better

Guatemala is an excellent destination for anyone who enjoys adventure. I have recently returned from a 3 month travelling expedition with my girlfriend through Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. Guatemala is a beautiful country, covered in dense jungle, with mountains, lakes, volcanos and ancient ruins, From Belize city we caught a bus to the border of Guatemala, where another bus took us to lake Piten Itza. Busses are frequent and very cheap, ...
...small area by the lake called El Cruce, which meant getting of the bus before it arrives at its main destination, Flores. We stayed in one of the many guest houses - Casa Del Don Douglas. Douglas is a great host, the rooms are very basic, but Douglas is happy to cook, serve beer, arrange trips, give you lifts around the area etc. We stayed here as a base to visit the Mayan Ruins at Tikal. Douglas arranged a bus to come and pick us up in the morning ... Read review